Video advertisement overlay system and method

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates system(s) and method(s) for overlaying functionalities, text, annotations, and/or features on video advertisements and content videos.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/247,557, filed on Aug. 25, 2016, which is a continuation of U.S.patent application Ser. No. 13/465,850, filed on May 7, 2012, whichclaims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.61/565,229, filed on Nov. 30, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporatedby reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates system(s) and method(s) for overlayingfunctionalities, text, annotations, and/or features on videoadvertisements and content videos.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, after users are presented with an in-stream video ad,it's difficult for them to recall that video ad to watch it afterwardsor interact with it. Moreover, given the option users often skip anin-stream video ad they are interested in watching in order to firstwatch a content video. Unfortunately, there is no easy manner to locatethe skipped video ad and watch it later. Consequently, an advertiser ofthe skipped video ad is missing out on potential views for an interestedaudience. Likewise, a host site for the advertisement may also loserevenue if the video advertisement is paid for on a charge per viewbasis.

SUMMARY

A simplified summary is provided herein to help enable a basic orgeneral understanding of various aspects of exemplary non-limitingembodiments that follow in the more detailed description and theaccompanying drawings. This summary is not intended, however, as anextensive or exhaustive overview. Instead, the purpose of this summaryis to present some concepts related to some exemplary non-limitingembodiments in simplified form as a prelude to more detailed descriptionof the various embodiments that follow in the disclosure.

In accordance with a non-limiting implementation, a presentationcomponent presents a content video or a video advertisement for userviewing, and an overlay component generates an overlay having a set offeatures related to the video advertisement, wherein the set of featuresenhance user interaction with the video advertisement. The presentationcomponent presents the overlay with the content video or videoadvertisement.

In accordance with another non-limiting implementation, a content videoor a video advertisement is presented for user viewing, an overlay isgenerated having a set of features related to the video advertisement,wherein the set of features enhance user interaction with the videoadvertisement, and the overlay is presented with the content video orvideo advertisement.

These and other implementations and embodiments are described in moredetail below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting systemfor providing video advertisement overlays in conjunction with videoadvertisements or content videos in accordance with an implementation ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary non-limiting display of a user interfacefor displaying a video advertisement or content video in accordance withan implementation of this disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting overlaywith video advertisement thumbnails and a watch later button inaccordance with an implementation of this disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary non-limiting display of a user interfacefor displaying a video advertisement with an overlay from FIG. 3 inaccordance with an implementation of this disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary non-limiting overlaywith content video thumbnails in accordance with an implementation ofthis disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary non-limiting display of a user interfacefor displaying a video advertisement with an overlay from FIG. 5 inaccordance with an implementation of this disclosure.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary non-limiting display of a user interfacefor displaying a content video with an overlay related to a videoadvertisement in accordance with an implementation of this disclosure.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary non-limiting flow diagram for presentingan overlay with conjunction with a video advertisement in accordancewith an implementation of this disclosure.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary non-limiting flow diagram for presentingan overlay in conjunction with a video advertisement and content videoin accordance with an implementation of this disclosure.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram representing an exemplarynon-limiting operating environment in which the various embodiments canbe implemented.

FIG. 11 illustrates a block diagram representing an exemplarynon-limiting networked computing environment in which the variousembodiments can be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION Overview

The innovation is described with reference to the drawings, wherein likereference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In thefollowing description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specificdetails are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding ofthis innovation. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can bepracticed without these specific details. In other instances, well-knownstructures and components are shown in block diagram form in order tofacilitate describing the innovation.

It is to be appreciated that in accordance with one or moreimplementations described in this disclosure, users can opt-out ofproviding personal information, demographic information, locationinformation, proprietary information, sensitive information, or the likein connection with data gathering aspects. Moreover, one or moreimplementations described herein can provide for anonymizing collected,received, or transmitted data.

By way of introduction, the subject matter described in this disclosurerelates to presentation of video advertisements (e.g., promoted videos,video ads), archiving the video advertisements, and postponing billingthereof through use of an overlay to the advertisement that exposes avariety of features that enhance user interaction with theadvertisement.

Conventionally, after users are presented with an in-stream video ad,it's difficult for them to recall that video ad to watch it afterwardsor interact with it. Moreover, given the option users often skip anin-stream video ad they are interested in watching in order to firstwatch a content video. Unfortunately, there is no easy manner to locatethe skipped video ad and watch it later. Consequently, an advertiser ofthe skipped video ad is missing out on potential views for an interestedaudience. Likewise, a host site for the advertisement may also loserevenue if the video advertisement is paid for on a charge per viewbasis.

Employment of the advertisement overlay can increase click through rate(CTR) and revenue of video ads by enabling user interaction with thevideo advertisement during and after the video ad plays via theconnected overlay containing information related to an in-stream videoad (and any other interactive abilities relating to the video ad). Theoverlay can appear over the content video, or during or after thein-stream ad is played, and the user can optionally mask or unmask theoverlay or interact with overlay components/features. The overlay caninclude for example: the video ad title; a video ad thumbnail(optional); a link that directs to a page where that video ad can beviewed in full; a click-through link to a specified landing pageassociated with the video ad; attribution text indicating the overlayrefers to a video advertisement; text that “user just watched . . . ” or“watch later” to identify the video ad; playlist of archived contentvideos or video ads; advertisement rating feature; counters for playbacktime left in video ad or time remaining until video ad can be skipped;reminders to view archived video ads, or ability to mask/unmask theoverlay at any time during playback of the content video.

In accordance with an embodiment, a system provides an archivingcomponent that allows for storing, indexing, or bookmarking skippedvideo ads so that they can be easily located and viewed by a user at alater point in time. For example, instead of or in addition to a skipbutton for skippable in-stream ads, the system can display an option toadd the video advertisement to a watch later playlist so that the usercan access the skipped video ad at a later point in time. The watchlater feature can optionally be configured to also display the skippedad again at the end of video content to which the user skipped as apost-roll. If the user later watched the video as a post-roll or as partof the watch later playlist, then this action could optionally betracked. If the user met a threshold for the amount of viewing time ofthe video ad needed to qualify as a view, then the advertisement viewcan be treated as a billable event regardless of whether theadvertisement was watched when first presented or afterwards.Furthermore, skipped video ads, the watch later playlist, or skippedvideo ad overlays can be presented to a user automatically, for example,based upon an inference that the user is available to view video ads.

Example Displaying Overlay with Video Advertisement or Content Video

Referring now to the drawings, with reference initially to FIG. 1, anadvertising delivery system 100 is shown that facilitates providingadvertising content in conjunction with archiving video advertisementsfor later viewing. Moreover, overlays can be generated that areassociated with an in-stream video advertisement to provide featuresthat enhance user interaction with the advertisement as well as usermanagement of the video advertisement. Aspects of the systems,apparatuses or processes explained in this disclosure can constitutemachine-executable component(s) embodied within machine(s), e.g.,embodied in one or more computer readable mediums (or media) associatedwith one or more machines, non-limiting examples of which areillustrated in relation to FIGS. 10 and 11. Such component, whenexecuted by the one or more machines, e.g., computer(s), computingdevice(s), virtual machine(s), etc. can cause the machine(s) to performthe operations described. Advertising delivery system 100 can includememory 102 for storing computer executable components and instructions.A processor 104 can facilitate operation of the computer executablecomponents and instructions by advertising delivery system 100.

In an embodiment, advertising delivery system 100 employs an archivingcomponent 101, an overlay component 103, a thumbnail component 110, anordering component 120, a caching component 130, a presentationcomponent 140, and a billing component 174. In an aspect, overlaycomponent 103 can generate an overlay that exposes features andfunctionalities of the below-noted components. Thumbnail component 110can generate one or more thumbnail views of media content. In anon-limiting example, media content can include skipped or watched videoadvertisements, or content video(s) that are intended for playing aftera video advertisement, or any other digital media. Ordering component120 orders (ranks) respective media content to be displayed afterrespective advertisement(s) are viewed or skipped. The ordering of thethumbnails (which can correspond to the ordering of corresponding mediacontent to be displayed) can for example be a function of determined orinferred user interest, user context, relevance to user, advertiserpreference, host site preference. Caching component 130 can cacherespective video ads, content videos, and associated thumbnails as afunction of the ranking (e.g., to improve streaming speed, bandwidthutilization, buffering, or resource allocation), and presentationcomponent 140 transmits or presents respective video ads, thumbnails ofvideo ads, thumbnails of the content to be viewed as well as the contentvideo(s). Presentation component 140 and/or overlay component 103 canpresent additional functions and content in connection with videoadvertisements and content videos (e.g., headline for the videoadvertisement, title of video advertisement, link to the videoadvertisements' watch page, a user voting or ranking feature (e.g., +1,like, dislike . . . ), learn more feature, countdown for time left inthe video advertisement, countdown of time left before the videoadvertisement can be skipped . . . ). Additionally, advertising deliverysystem 100 includes a memory 150 that can store video ads, contentvideos, and content thumbnails, as well as, data generated by archivingcomponent 101, overlay component 103, thumbnail component 110, orderingcomponent 120, caching component 130, presentation component 140, andbilling component 174. Memory 150 can be stored on any suitable type ofstorage device, non-limiting examples of which are illustrated withreference to FIGS. 10 and 11.

The video ads, the content videos, or associated thumbnails can includedata associated with one or more data sources (not shown) that can beaccessed by a client device (not shown) or by a content delivery systemsuch as advertising delivery system 100 (and additional systemsdescribed in this disclosure). For example, a data source can include adata store storing media content and affiliated with a content providerthat interacts with advertising delivery system 100. In another aspect,a data source can include a data store that stores media content remotefrom a content provider or an advertising delivery system 100.

A client device can include any suitable computing device associatedwith a user and configured to interact with or receive media content.For example, a client device can include a mobile device, a mobilephone, personal data assistant, laptop computer, tablet computer,desktop computer, server system, cable set top box, satellite set topbox, cable modem, television set, media extender device, blu-ray device,DVD (digital versatile disc or digital video disc) device, compact discdevice, video game system, audio/video receiver, radio device, portablemusic player, navigation system, car stereo, etc. Moreover, a clientdevice can include a user interface (e.g., a web browser orapplication), that can receive and present displays and generatedlocally or remotely. It is to be appreciated that advertising deliverysystem 100 can be remote from the client device or can be includedwithin the client device. As used in this disclosure, the terms “contentconsumer” or “user” refer to a person, entity, system, or combinationthereof that employ advertising delivery system 100 (or additionalsystems described in this disclosure). In an aspect, a client device oradvertising delivery system 100 (or additional systems described in thisdisclosure) can be configured to access media content via a wired orwireless network, such as for example the Internet, intranet, orcellular service.

Thumbnail component 110 generates thumbnails of content videos or videoadvertisements. In a non-limiting example, thumbnail component 110 canextract a thumbnail from metadata associated with a content video orvideo advertisement, for example a thumbnail that is supplied by thepublisher of the content video or video advertisement. In anothernon-limiting example, thumbnail component 110 can analyze the content ofa content video or video advertisement and select a video frame from thecontent video or video advertisement that is representative of thecontent video or video advertisement as the thumbnail. In a furtherexample, thumbnail component 110 can analyze the content of a contentvideo or video advertisement and select a plurality of framesrepresentative of the content video or video advertisement to form acollage as the thumbnail. Furthermore, thumbnail component 110 can takeinto account information associated with a user that will view thecontent after or video advertisement to generate a thumbnail relevant tothat user. For example, user preferences such as stored in a userprofile or inferred by monitoring past user interactions with contentvideos, video advertisement, or other media content can be employed todetermine user interest in order to generate a thumbnail that isrelevant to the user.

In a non-limiting example, thumbnail component 110 can generatethumbnails as a function of inferred or determined user interest, forexample, based on user preferences, historical views, user context, userlocation, user queries, etc. In a non-limiting example, thumbnailcomponent 110 can determine thumbnails that are likely to be of interestto a user, for example using artificial intelligence, by examining logsstoring user interaction with content, non-limiting examples or whichinclude, user context, searches, navigation of a content, viewingcontent, social networking, browsing content, rating content, rankingcontent, purchasing content, like indication of content, dislikeindication of content, and/or comments or annotations applied tocontent. In another example, user preferences stored in a user profileand/or inferred by monitoring user interaction with the client devicecan be employed to determine thumbnails of interest to a user. In afurther example, user profiles for a user and/or friends of a user canprovide shared preference settings or inferences of thumbnails that areof interest to groups of users. It is to be appreciated that anycriteria can be employed for determining which thumbnails may be ofinterest to a user. Thumbnail component 110 can generate and associate athumbnail to a content video or video advertisement based upondeterminations of user interest.

Caching component 130 can cache video ads, content videos, associatedthumbnails, or overlays in memory 150 as a function of respectiveordering of thereof. Caching component 130 can store cached mediafiles/content (e.g. video ads, content videos, associated thumbnails,overlays, or other digital media) so that future requests for respectivemedia files can be served quickly. The cached media files can beduplicates of corresponding sections of original media files which maybe stored elsewhere. If the cached media files are requested, therequest can be served by simply reading the cache, which iscomparatively faster than reading the original media files. Hence, thegreater the number of requests that can be served from the cachedsection, the faster overall performance of advertising delivery system100 becomes. The cached media can be aged out of or persisted in memory150 as a function of ranking, staleness, relevance, etc. In anembodiment, multiple levels of cache can be employed; respectivesections of media can be cached in respective caches as a function ofranking, ordering, demand, etc. For example, highest performance cachecan be allocated to highest ranked and in most demand media files.

Referring to FIGS. 1-7, presentation component 140 can generate as shownin FIG. 2 a display 200 that displays a media player 210 that can play avideo advertisement 213 or content video (not shown). FIGS. 3 and 5illustrate respective overlays 300, 500 that can be generated by overlaycomponent 103 and respective components described in this disclosurethat generate or provide various features and functionalities. Overlays300, 500 can be applied to the in-stream video advertisement 213 asshown in FIGS. 4 and 6 where respective overlays applied to in-streamvideo ads 400, 600 are depicted. Furthermore, portions of overlay 300,500 can be applied to a content video 212A (e.g. associated withthumbnail 212) that is displayed/playing as shown in FIG. 7, for exampleafter the user has completed watching video ad 213, skipped video ad213, or chosen to watch later video ad 213, and begun playing contentvideo 212A. Overlay component 103 in conjunction with the presentationcomponent 140 can generate a highly functional environment for users tointeract with and manage video advertisements. As noted, the one or moreelements/features of overlays 300, 500 can be selectively masked orunmasked (e.g., by the user, or by a machine or system). In anon-limiting example, masking or unmasking one or more elements/featuresof overlays can also be performed automatically for example as afunction of determined or inferred user intent, user context, videocontent, etc. In another non-limiting example, automatic masking orunmasking of one or more elements/features of the overlay can beperformed periodically, at fixed, random, or dynamically selectedintervals. For example, an overlay can be presented at the beginning ofplaying of a content video and be masked after a period of time, andthen reappear after another period time, and repeat this process untilthe end of the video. In another example, an overlay can be presented ata certain point during playing of a content video and be masked after aperiod of time. In a further non-limiting example, an option (not shown)can be provided for a user to mask or unmask one or moreelements/features of an overlay. It is to be further appreciated thatdisplaying of overlays 300, 500 can be optional based upon a level ofuser engagement with the video advertisement, for example, such as uponamount of viewing time or monitoring of user activity. Furthermore,displaying of overlays 300, 500 can be optional based upon advertiserspecified parameters or option, partner parameters or options, or userpreferences.

Turning to the respective features and functionalities made available byoverlay 300, 500, thumbnail component 110 can generate a thumbnail 212of content video to be displayed after the video advertisement 213 inoverlay 300, 500. To facilitate user comprehension of what video isbeing viewed, and what video is upcoming, presentation component 140 andthe overlay component 103 can provide a variety of information andfeatures/functionalities to enhance user viewing experience throughdisplays and overlays. For example, overlays can be generated by overlaycomponent 103 and displayed by presentation component 140. In anon-limiting example, overlay 300, 500 can include an advertisementheadline 214. During playing of video ad 213, advertisement headline 214can be shown for video ad 213 in the upper-left corner of the player,over a semi-transparent background. It is to be appreciated that thefunctional and text features described in this document are not limitedto any particular location or context, and can be provisioned in anysuitable manner or location. For example, advertisement headline 214 canautomatically fade after G seconds (G is an integer) but reappear if theuser hovers a cursor/pointer over anywhere on the video advertisementplayer 210. In another example, if video ad 213 does not have anadvertisement headline 214, optionally a title of video ad 213 can bedisplayed instead. If video ad 213 is hosted on a website, the title canlink to the video ad's watch page. Furthermore, hovering over the titlecan show mouse-over text revealing a promotional slogan or the likerelated to video ad 213. Additionally, advertisement text 218 can bedisplayed, for example, at a bottom portion of the player. In anon-limiting example, advertisement text 218 can be static or dynamictext associated with video ad 213. In a further non-limiting example,advertisement text 218 can be customized to the user watching the videoad, for example, based on user preferences and/or interest.

Overlay 300, 500 can also provide a rating feature 216 (e.g., +1, −1,like, dislike rating feature . . . ) that allows the user to rate videoad 213. Additionally, in a non-limiting example, hovering over the +1button can show a +1 annotation which indicates who else has or thenumber of other who have +1'd video ad 213. For example, indications canbe provided of friends of the user who have +1'd video ad 213.

Overlay 300, 500 can provide a “watch later” button that operates inconjunction with the archiving component 101 to allow for storing,indexing, or bookmarking skipped ads so that they can be easily locatedand viewed by a user at a later point in time. In a non-limitingexample, watch later button can be selected by a user archive video ad213 so that it can be watched again at a later time. In anothernon-limiting example, watch later button 222 can be selected by a userto skip video ad 213, proceed to view a content video associated withthumbnail 212, archive video ad 213, and optionally add video ad 213 toa watch later playlist 280. It is to be appreciated that watch laterbutton 222 can be presented instead of or in addition to a selectableskip button (not shown) for skippable in-stream ads. The watch laterbutton 222 can optionally be configured to also display the skippedvideo ad 213 again at the end of the video content associated withthumbnail 212 as a post-roll.

Overlay 300, 500 can also provide a learn more button 230. Learn morebutton 230 can, for example, appear in yellow at the bottom middle areaof the player, above video playback controls (not shown). It is to beappreciated that learn more button 230 can be displayed in any suitablemanner or characteristics, non-limiting examples of which include color,shape, size, position, icon, or text. Learn more button 230 is clickableand can link the user to an advertiser's site associated with video ad213, for example, where additional information regarding products orservices associated with video ad 213 can be obtained or purchases canbe made. In a non-limiting example, when the user clicks on thein-stream video ad 213, the video ad 213 can be paused, similar to theinteractions for a content video.

Overlay 300, 500 can provide an advertisement counter 232 that displaysplaying time left in video advertisement 213. Advertisement counter 232can, for example, be placed directly right of the “Advertisement” textin the bottom left of the player. Doing so, can mitigate confusionassociated with a skip counter 250 that count downs for when the usercan skip video ad 213, if video ad 213 is skippable. For example, in anon-limiting example, a user may be required to watch the entire videoadvertisement 213 before being able to watch a content video. In thiscase, a skip counter 250 may not be presented. In another non-limitingexample, a user may only be required to watch a certain portion (skipthreshold) of video ad 213 before being able to view the content video.As such, skip counter 250 can reflect the time remaining before the usercan leave video ad 213 and watch the content video. It is to beappreciated that a selectable skip button (not shown) can be displayedafter the skip counter has reached a skip threshold that allows forskipping video ad 213. In another non-limiting example, thumbnail 212can be enabled to be selected for skipping video advertisement 213 afterthe skip counter has reached the skip threshold that allows for skippingvideo ad 213. It is to be appreciated that the skip threshold can bebased on a predetermined fixed length of playback time of a video ad, apercentage of playback time of the video ad, a dynamically adjustedlength of playback time of a video ad, a length of playback time of avideo ad based upon a length of content video to be viewed after thevideo ad, or other criteria.

Overlay 300, 500 can also include (e.g., as a function of the ordering)archived video ads or the thumbnails 260 of archived video ads that canbe viewed, or content videos or the thumbnails 261 of content videosthat can be viewed. For example, the ordering of archived advertisementscan be a function of current user context, user preferences, userhistorical actions, video content just watched. Overlay 300, 500 canfade in or fade out respective thumbnails 212, 260, 261, 213A as afunction of the various metrics. In a non-limiting example, as the videoadvertisement 213 progresses, the thumbnail 212 can increase in detail,resolution, color, opaqueness, and/or size, thereby enticing the user tofinish watching the video advertisement 213. Furthermore, additionalinformation, such as text or graphics, about the upcoming video contentto be displayed after the video advertisement 213 can be added and/orremoved as part of the fading to further entice the user to watch thevideo advertisement. It is to further be appreciated that the additionalinformation can be presented in a glanceable manner, so as not to overlydistract the user from the video ad. In a non-limiting example, Overlay300, 500 can fade in or out a thumbnail after a predetermined fadingthreshold, such as, a fixed length of playback time of a video ad, apercentage of playback time of the video ad, a dynamically adjustedlength of playback time of a video ad, a length of playback time of avideo ad based upon a length of content video to be viewed after thevideo ad, or other criteria. Furthermore, the rate of fading can befixed or dynamically adjusted, for example, as a function of the amountof playback time left for the video ad. Moreover, with respect to thethumbnails 260, 261, certain thumbnails can be modified (e.g., resized,faded in, faded out, higher resolution, highlighted, etc.) to emphasizea subset of the thumbnails 260, 261 and the corresponding archived videoads or video content.

Overlay 300, 500 can also include options for user sharing of videoadvertisements to other users. Furthermore, overlay 300, 500 can includeinteractions defined by an advertiser.

Although various thumbnails 260, 261 and playlist(s) 280 are shown onthe same page, it is to be appreciated that they can be on a separatepage. The playlist feature 280 when clicked can display a set ofarchived video ads 260 or content videos 261 that will initiate runningin a serial manner, and the ordering component 120 can tailor orderingof the respective playlists as a function of the various metricsdescribed in this disclosure. Additionally, in a non-limiting example, aplaylist 280 can include video advertisements, thumbnails of videoadvertisements, content videos, and/or thumbnails of content videos.

Additionally, the presentation component 140 and/or overlay component103 can present content viewing options for use with any suitable typeof client device that receives media files. Client devices often havedifferent capabilities and limitations (e.g., screen size, processors,decoders . . . ). In an aspect, the presentation component 140 and/oroverlay component 103 can provide presentation options in accordancewith different client device capabilities or limitations. For example,data rendering capabilities may be more limited in a mobile device(e.g., a smart-phone) than in a fixed computing device (e.g., a desktopcomputer), such as a larger percentage of client device processingresources may be required to present a media file, such as a video (orother information), on the mobile device than would be required inviewing the same media file on a fixed computing device. In addition,because displays of various mobile devices are often smaller and/orlower resolution than displays in fixed computing devices, it may bepossible only to display a relatively small amount of information at anygiven time on a mobile device. Presentation component 140 and/or overlaycomponent 103 can thus optimize display of options and content forrespective devices. Furthermore, data connections between a mobiledevice and various networked resources (e.g., the Internet) may beslower than corresponding data connections between a fixed computingdevice and the same networked resources. Accordingly, presentationcomponent 140 and/or overlay component 103 can generate user options toaccount for variations in device capabilities and available bandwidthfor consumption and rendering of media content. For example, differingformat or resolution versions of the same media file can be presentedbased upon client device capabilities and limitations. In a non-limitingexample, a video ad, thumbnail or content video can be presented in ahighly compressed encoding format and with lower resolution to a mobiledevice over a wireless network, while a lower compressed encoding formatand higher resolution version of the same video ad, thumbnail or contentvideo can be presented to a desktop computer on a wired network.

In view of the above, in an aspect, the presentation component 140and/or overlay component 103 can present media content in variousformats and/or in accordance with various display mediums. For example,in one embodiment, the presentation component can present a section ofvideo in a format such as H.263, H.264 AVC, MPEG-4 SP, VP8, or othersuitable format. In another embodiment the presentation component 410may present an audio section in formats such as for example AAC LC/LTP,HE-AACv1(AAC+), HE-AACv2 (enhanced AAC+), AMR-NB, AMR-WB, FLAC, MP3,MIDI, Vorbis, PCM/WAVE, etc.

In an aspect, presentation component 140 and/or overlay component 103can automatically configure or present user options to consume mediacontent based on encoding parameters such as video resolution, videoframe rate, video bit rate, video codec, audio codec, audio channels,audio bit rate, etc. Thus, presentation component 140 and/or overlaycomponent 103 or a user may choose a format to consume media contentthat best suits capabilities of specific consumption mediums, availablebandwidth, file size, processing capabilities, screen resolution, screensize, available encoders, available decoders, etc.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an overlay 300 with video advertisementthumbnails 260, where the overlay 300 also includes a watch later button222. FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an overlay 500 similar to overlay 300, butwith content video thumbnails 261 and excluding watch later button 222.FIG. 7 illustrates a display playing content video 212A (associated withthumbnail 212), for example after the user has completed watching videoad 213, skipped video ad 213, or chosen to watch later video ad 213, andbegun playing content video 212A. Moreover, an overlay is displayed withcontent video 212A that includes elements from overlay 300,500, such as,advertisement headline 214, rating feature 216, advertisement text 218,learn more button 230. Additionally the overlay of FIG. 7 includes athumbnail 213A corresponding to video ad 213. It is to be appreciatedthat any combination of overlay elements can be included or excluded inan overlay as appropriate, as well, as being automatically added,removed, faded, highlighted, etc. at various times in the overlay.

In an implementation, billing component 174 can postpone billing of anadvertisement that was skipped for example until a threshold of viewingtime of a video advertisement was reached. If a user later watched thevideo as a post-roll or as part of the “watch later” playlist, then thisaction could optionally be tracked by the billing component 174. If theuser met the viewing threshold for the amount of time needed to qualifyfor a view, then the view can be treated as a billable event regardlessof whether the advertisement was watched when first presented orafterwards. Thus, the billing component 174 in connection with thearchiving component 101 and the thumbnail views of archived video ads260 can facilitate increasing advertisement related revenue for bothadvertisers (e.g., mitigating opportunity loss associated with skippedads by providing users with an ability to view skipped ads at a laterpoint in time thus creating renewed sales opportunity and brandrecognition for the advertisers), and host sites for the videoadvertisements by increasing opportunity for users to reach the viewingthreshold time required to charge for an advertisement view. It is to beappreciated that the viewing threshold can be based on a fixed length ofplayback time of a video ad, a percentage of playback time of the videoad, a dynamically adjusted length of playback time of a video ad, alength of playback time of a video ad based upon a length of contentvideo to be viewed associated with the video ad, or other criteria.

FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate various methodologies in accordance withcertain aspects of this disclosure. While, for purposes of simplicity ofexplanation, the methodologies are shown and described as a series ofacts, the disclosed subject matter is not limited by the order of acts,as some acts may occur in different orders and/or concurrently withother acts from that shown and described herein. For example, thoseskilled in the art will understand and appreciate that a methodology canalternatively be represented as a series of interrelated states orevents, such as in a state diagram. Moreover, not all illustrated actsmay be required to implement a methodology in accordance with thedisclosed subject matter. Additionally, it is to be appreciated that themethodologies disclosed in this disclosure are capable of being storedon an article of manufacture to facilitate transporting and transferringsuch methodologies to computers or other computing devices.

Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary methodology 800 for presenting anoverlay in conjunction with a video ad is illustrated. At 802, displayof a video ad is initiated (e.g., using presentation component 140). At804, an overlay related to the video ad is generated and/or applied tothe video ad (e.g., using presentation component 140 and/or overlaycomponent 103). At 806, the video ad is displayed with the relatedoverlay (e.g., using presentation component 140 and/or overlay component103). At 808, overlay elements/features can optionally be masked orunmasked automatically and/or by manual user input (e.g., usingpresentation component 140 and/or overlay component 103).

Referring now to FIG. 9, an exemplary methodology 900 for presenting avideo advertisement overlay in conjunction with a content video isillustrated. At 902, display of a video ad is initiated (e.g., usingpresentation component 140). At 904, optionally an overlay related tothe video ad is generated and/or applied to the video ad (e.g., usingpresentation component 140 and/or overlay component 103). At 906,displaying of the video advertisement is ended and a content video isdisplayed. (e.g., using presentation component 140 and/or overlaycomponent 103). It is to be appreciated that displaying of the contentvideo can be the result of, for example, playing of the video ad reachedthe end, a user choosing to skip the video ad, or a user choosing towatch the video ad later. At 908, an overlay related to the video ad isgenerated and/or applied to the video ad (e.g., using presentationcomponent 140 and/or overlay component 103). It is to be appreciatedthat the overlay at 908 can be the same or different from the overlay at904. At 910, overlay elements/features can optionally be masked orunmasked automatically and/or by manual user input (e.g., usingpresentation component 140 and/or overlay component 103).

In view of the exemplary systems described above, methodologies that maybe implemented in accordance with the described subject matter will bebetter appreciated with reference to the flowcharts of the variousfigures. While for purposes of simplicity of explanation, themethodologies are shown and described as a series of blocks, it is to beunderstood and appreciated that the claimed subject matter is notlimited by the order of the blocks, as some blocks may occur indifferent orders and/or concurrently with other blocks from what isdepicted and described in this disclosure. Where non-sequential, orbranched, flow is illustrated via flowchart, it can be appreciated thatvarious other branches, flow paths, and orders of the blocks, may beimplemented which achieve the same or a similar result. Moreover, notall illustrated blocks may be required to implement the methodologiesdescribed hereinafter.

In addition to the various embodiments described in this disclosure, itis to be understood that other similar embodiments can be used ormodifications and additions can be made to the described embodiment(s)for performing the same or equivalent function of the correspondingembodiment(s) without deviating there from. Still further, multipleprocessing chips or multiple devices can share the performance of one ormore functions described in this disclosure, and similarly, storage canbe effected across a plurality of devices. Accordingly, the invention isnot to be limited to any single embodiment, but rather can be construedin breadth, spirit and scope in accordance with the appended claims.

Example Operating Environments

The systems and processes described below can be embodied withinhardware, such as a single integrated circuit (IC) chip, multiple ICs,an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or the like. Further,the order in which some or all of the process blocks appear in eachprocess should not be deemed limiting. Rather, it should be understoodthat some of the process blocks can be executed in a variety of orders,not all of which may be explicitly illustrated in this disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 10, a suitable environment 1000 for implementingvarious aspects of the claimed subject matter includes a computer 1002.The computer 1002 includes a processing unit 1004, a system memory 1006,a codec 1005, and a system bus 1008. In an embodiment, the computer 1002can for example be used to implement one or more of the systems orcomponents shown or described in connection with FIGS. 1-7. The systembus 1008 couples system components including, but not limited to, thesystem memory 1006 to the processing unit 1004. The processing unit 1004can be any of various available processors. Dual microprocessors andother multiprocessor architectures also can be employed as theprocessing unit 1004.

The system bus 1008 can be any of several types of bus structure(s)including the memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus orexternal bus, and/or a local bus using any variety of available busarchitectures including, but not limited to, Industrial StandardArchitecture (ISA), Micro-Channel Architecture (MSA), Extended ISA(EISA), Intelligent Drive Electronics (IDE), VESA Local Bus (VLB),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Card Bus, Universal Serial Bus(USB), Advanced Graphics Port (AGP), Personal Computer Memory CardInternational Association bus (PCMCIA), Firewire (IEEE 1394), and SmallComputer Systems Interface (SCSI).

The system memory 1006 includes volatile memory 1010 and non-volatilememory 1012. The basic input/output system (BIOS), containing the basicroutines to transfer information between elements within the computer1002, such as during start-up, is stored in non-volatile memory 1012. Inaddition, according to present innovations, codec 1005 may include atleast one of an encoder or decoder, wherein the at least one of anencoder or decoder may consist of hardware, a combination of hardwareand software, or software. Although, codec 1005 is depicted as aseparate component, codec 1005 may be contained within non-volatilememory 1012. By way of illustration, and not limitation, non-volatilememory 1012 can include read only memory (ROM), programmable ROM (PROM),electrically programmable ROM (EPROM), electrically erasableprogrammable ROM (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory 1010includes random access memory (RAM), which acts as external cachememory. According to present aspects, the volatile memory may store thewrite operation retry logic (not shown in FIG. 10) and the like. By wayof illustration and not limitation, RAM is available in many forms suchas static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM),double data rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), and enhanced SDRAM (ESDRAM.

Computer 1002 may also include removable/non-removable,volatile/non-volatile computer storage medium. FIG. 10 illustrates, forexample, disk storage 1014. Disk storage 1014 includes, but is notlimited to, devices like a magnetic disk drive, solid state disk (SSD)floppy disk drive, tape drive, Jaz drive, Zip drive, LS-70 drive, flashmemory card, or memory stick. In addition, disk storage 1014 can includestorage medium separately or in combination with other storage mediumincluding, but not limited to, an optical disk drive such as a compactdisk ROM device (CD-ROM), CD recordable drive (CD-R Drive), CDrewritable drive (CD-RW Drive) or a digital versatile disk ROM drive(DVD-ROM). To facilitate connection of the disk storage devices 1014 tothe system bus 1008, a removable or non-removable interface is typicallyused, such as interface 1016.

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 10 describes software that acts as anintermediary between users and the basic computer resources described inthe suitable operating environment 1000. Such software includes anoperating system 1018. Operating system 1018, which can be stored ondisk storage 1014, acts to control and allocate resources of thecomputer system 1002. Applications 1020 take advantage of the managementof resources by operating system 1018 through program modules 1024, andprogram data 1026, such as the boot/shutdown transaction table and thelike, stored either in system memory 1006 or on disk storage 1014. It isto be appreciated that the claimed subject matter can be implementedwith various operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user enters commands or information into the computer 1002 throughinput device(s) 1028. Input devices 1028 include, but are not limitedto, a pointing device such as a mouse, trackball, stylus, touch pad,keyboard, microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, TVtuner card, digital camera, digital video camera, web camera, and thelike. These and other input devices connect to the processing unit 1004through the system bus 1008 via interface port(s) 1030. Interfaceport(s) 1030 include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port, agame port, and a universal serial bus (USB). Output device(s) 1036 usesome of the same type of ports as input device(s) 1028. Thus, forexample, a USB port may be used to provide input to computer 1002, andto output information from computer 1002 to an output device 1036.Output adapter 1034 is provided to illustrate that there are some outputdevices 1036 like monitors, speakers, and printers, among other outputdevices 1036, which require special adapters. The output adapters 1034include, by way of illustration and not limitation, video and soundcards that provide a means of connection between the output device 1036and the system bus 1008. It should be noted that other devices and/orsystems of devices provide both input and output capabilities such asremote computer(s) 1038.

Computer 1002 can operate in a networked environment using logicalconnections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer(s)1038. The remote computer(s) 1038 can be a personal computer, a server,a router, a network PC, a workstation, a microprocessor based appliance,a peer device, a smart phone, a tablet, or other network node, andtypically includes many of the elements described relative to computer1002. For purposes of brevity, only a memory storage device 1040 isillustrated with remote computer(s) 1038. Remote computer(s) 1038 islogically connected to computer 1002 through a network interface 1042and then connected via communication connection(s) 1044. Networkinterface 1042 encompasses wire and/or wireless communication networkssuch as local-area networks (LAN) and wide-area networks (WAN) andcellular networks. LAN technologies include Fiber Distributed DataInterface (FDDI), Copper Distributed Data Interface (CDDI), Ethernet,Token Ring and the like. WAN technologies include, but are not limitedto, point-to-point links, circuit switching networks like IntegratedServices Digital Networks (ISDN) and variations thereon, packetswitching networks, and Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL).

Communication connection(s) 1044 refers to the hardware/softwareemployed to connect the network interface 1042 to the bus 1008. Whilecommunication connection 1044 is shown for illustrative clarity insidecomputer 1002, it can also be external to computer 1002. Thehardware/software necessary for connection to the network interface 1042includes, for exemplary purposes only, internal and externaltechnologies such as, modems including regular telephone grade modems,cable modems and DSL modems, ISDN adapters, and wired and wirelessEthernet cards, hubs, and routers.

Referring now to FIG. 11, there is illustrated a schematic block diagramof a computing environment 1100 in accordance with this disclosure. Thesystem 1100 includes one or more client(s) 1102 (e.g., laptops, smartphones, PDAs, media players, computers, portable electronic devices,tablets, and the like). The client(s) 1102 can be hardware and/orsoftware (e.g., threads, processes, computing devices). The system 1100also includes one or more server(s) 1104. The server(s) 1104 can also behardware or hardware in combination with software (e.g., threads,processes, computing devices). The servers 1104 can house threads toperform transformations by employing aspects of this disclosure, forexample. One possible communication between a client 1102 and a server1104 can be in the form of a data packet transmitted between two or morecomputer processes wherein the data packet may include video data. Thedata packet can include a metadata, e.g., associated contextualinformation, for example. The system 1100 includes a communicationframework 1106 (e.g., a global communication network such as theInternet, or mobile network(s)) that can be employed to facilitatecommunications between the client(s) 1102 and the server(s) 1104.

Communications can be facilitated via a wired (including optical fiber)and/or wireless technology. The client(s) 1102 include or areoperatively connected to one or more client data store(s) 1108 that canbe employed to store information local to the client(s) 1102 (e.g.,associated contextual information). Similarly, the server(s) 1104 areoperatively include or are operatively connected to one or more serverdata store(s) 1110 that can be employed to store information local tothe servers 1104.

In one embodiment, a client 1102 can transfer an encoded file, inaccordance with the disclosed subject matter, to server 1104. Server1104 can store the file, decode the file, or transmit the file toanother client 1102. It is to be appreciated, that a client 1102 canalso transfer uncompressed file to a server 1104 and server 1104 cancompress the file in accordance with the disclosed subject matter.Likewise, server 1104 can encode video information and transmit theinformation via communication framework 1106 to one or more clients1102.

The illustrated aspects of the disclosure may also be practiced indistributed computing environments where certain tasks are performed byremote processing devices that are linked through a communicationsnetwork. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can belocated in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Moreover, it is to be appreciated that various components described inthis description can include electrical circuit(s) that can includecomponents and circuitry elements of suitable value in order toimplement the embodiments of the subject innovation(s). Furthermore, itcan be appreciated that many of the various components can beimplemented on one or more integrated circuit (IC) chips. For example,in one embodiment, a set of components can be implemented in a single ICchip. In other embodiments, one or more of respective components arefabricated or implemented on separate IC chips.

What has been described above includes examples of the embodiments ofthe present invention. It is, of course, not possible to describe everyconceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes ofdescribing the claimed subject matter, but it is to be appreciated thatmany further combinations and permutations of the subject innovation arepossible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embraceall such alterations, modifications, and variations that fall within thespirit and scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the above descriptionof illustrated embodiments of the subject disclosure, including what isdescribed in the Abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limitthe disclosed embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. While specificembodiments and examples are described in this disclosure forillustrative purposes, various modifications are possible that areconsidered within the scope of such embodiments and examples, as thoseskilled in the relevant art can recognize.

In particular and in regard to the various functions performed by theabove described components, devices, circuits, systems and the like, theterms used to describe such components are intended to correspond,unless otherwise indicated, to any component which performs thespecified function of the described component (e.g., a functionalequivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosedstructure, which performs the function in the disclosure illustratedexemplary aspects of the claimed subject matter. In this regard, it willalso be recognized that the innovation includes a system as well as acomputer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructionsfor performing the acts and/or events of the various methods of theclaimed subject matter.

The aforementioned systems/circuits/modules have been described withrespect to interaction between several components/blocks. It can beappreciated that such systems/circuits and components/blocks can includethose components or specified sub-components, some of the specifiedcomponents or sub-components, and/or additional components, andaccording to various permutations and combinations of the foregoing.Sub-components can also be implemented as components communicativelycoupled to other components rather than included within parentcomponents (hierarchical). Additionally, it should be noted that one ormore components may be combined into a single component providingaggregate functionality or divided into several separate sub-components,and any one or more middle layers, such as a management layer, may beprovided to communicatively couple to such sub-components in order toprovide integrated functionality. Any components described in thisdisclosure may also interact with one or more other components notspecifically described in this disclosure but known by those of skill inthe art.

In addition, while a particular feature of the subject innovation mayhave been disclosed with respect to only one of several implementations,such feature may be combined with one or more other features of theother implementations as may be desired and advantageous for any givenor particular application. Furthermore, to the extent that the terms“includes,” “including,” “has,” “contains,” variants thereof, and othersimilar words are used in either the detailed description or the claims,these terms are intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term“comprising” as an open transition word without precluding anyadditional or other elements.

As used in this application, the terms “component,” “module,” “system,”or the like are generally intended to refer to a computer-relatedentity, either hardware (e.g., a circuit), a combination of hardware andsoftware, software, or an entity related to an operational machine withone or more specific functionalities. For example, a component may be,but is not limited to being, a process running on a processor (e.g.,digital signal processor), a processor, an object, an executable, athread of execution, a program, and/or a computer. By way ofillustration, both an application running on a controller and thecontroller can be a component. One or more components may reside withina process and/or thread of execution and a component may be localized onone computer and/or distributed between two or more computers. Further,a “device” can come in the form of specially designed hardware;generalized hardware made specialized by the execution of softwarethereon that enables the hardware to perform specific function; softwarestored on a computer readable storage medium; software transmitted on acomputer readable transmission medium; or a combination thereof.

Moreover, the words “example” or “exemplary” are used in this disclosureto mean serving as an example, instance, or illustration. Any aspect ordesign described in this disclosure as “exemplary” is not necessarily tobe construed as preferred or advantageous over other aspects or designs.Rather, use of the words “example” or “exemplary” is intended to presentconcepts in a concrete fashion. As used in this application, the term“or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or” rather than an exclusive“or”. That is, unless specified otherwise, or clear from context, “Xemploys A or B” is intended to mean any of the natural inclusivepermutations. That is, if X employs A; X employs B; or X employs both Aand B, then “X employs A or B” is satisfied under any of the foregoinginstances. In addition, the articles “a” and “an” as used in thisapplication and the appended claims should generally be construed tomean “one or more” unless specified otherwise or clear from context tobe directed to a singular form.

Computing devices typically include a variety of media, which caninclude computer-readable storage media and/or communications media, inwhich these two terms are used in this description differently from oneanother as follows. Computer-readable storage media can be any availablestorage media that can be accessed by the computer, is typically of anon-transitory nature, and can include both volatile and nonvolatilemedia, removable and non-removable media. By way of example, and notlimitation, computer-readable storage media can be implemented inconnection with any method or technology for storage of information suchas computer-readable instructions, program modules, structured data, orunstructured data. Computer-readable storage media can include, but arenot limited to, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memorytechnology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disk (DVD) or other optical diskstorage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage orother magnetic storage devices, or other tangible and/or non-transitorymedia which can be used to store desired information. Computer-readablestorage media can be accessed by one or more local or remote computingdevices, e.g., via access requests, queries or other data retrievalprotocols, for a variety of operations with respect to the informationstored by the medium.

On the other hand, communications media typically embodycomputer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules orother structured or unstructured data in a data signal that can betransitory such as a modulated data signal, e.g., a carrier wave orother transport mechanism, and includes any information delivery ortransport media. The term “modulated data signal” or signals refers to asignal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed insuch a manner as to encode information in one or more signals. By way ofexample, and not limitation, communication media include wired media,such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless mediasuch as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media.

In view of the exemplary systems described above, methodologies that maybe implemented in accordance with the described subject matter will bebetter appreciated with reference to the flowcharts of the variousfigures. For simplicity of explanation, the methodologies are depictedand described as a series of acts. However, acts in accordance with thisdisclosure can occur in various orders and/or concurrently, and withother acts not presented and described in this disclosure. Furthermore,not all illustrated acts may be required to implement the methodologiesin accordance with certain aspects of this disclosure. In addition,those skilled in the art will understand and appreciate that themethodologies could alternatively be represented as a series ofinterrelated states via a state diagram or events. Additionally, itshould be appreciated that the methodologies disclosed in thisdisclosure are capable of being stored on an article of manufacture tofacilitate transporting and transferring such methodologies to computingdevices. The term article of manufacture, as used in this disclosure, isintended to encompass a computer program accessible from anycomputer-readable device or storage media.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system comprising: a hardware processor that isprogrammed to: receive a request for a first video content item from aclient device; in response to the request for the first video contentitem, cause the client device to playback a second video content item ina video window; and cause the client device to display an overlayelement that is positioned over the video window, wherein the overlayelement includes a thumbnail representation of the first video contentitem and a counter indicating when the overlay element will becomeselectable, and wherein in response to receiving a selection of theoverlay element upon an expiration of the counter, the second videocontent item is skipped and the first video content item is played back.2. The system of claim 1, wherein the second video content item is avideo advertisement associated with the first video content item.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the overlay element includes a representativeimage of the first video content item.
 4. The system of claim 3, whereinthe hardware processor is further programmed to cause the representativeimage of the first video content item to be displayed after apredetermined portion of the second video content item has been playedback.
 5. The system of claim 3, wherein the hardware processor isfurther programmed to cause the representative image of the first videocontent item to be displayed in accordance with a visual effect.
 6. Thesystem of claim 5, wherein the visual effect comprises causing therepresentative image of the first video content item to fade in as thecounter proceeds and wherein the hardware processor is furtherprogrammed to cause the visual effect to be adjusted based on a timeremaining in the counter.
 7. The system of claim 1, wherein the overlayelement is inhibited from being selected to skip the second videocontent item in response to determining that the counter has notexpired.
 8. A method comprising: receiving, using a hardware processor,a request for a first video content item from a client device; inresponse to the request for the first video content item, causing, usingthe hardware processor, the client device to playback a second videocontent item in a video window; and causing, using the hardwareprocessor, the client device to display an overlay element that ispositioned over the video window, wherein the overlay element includes athumbnail representation of the first video content item and a counterindicating when the overlay element will become selectable, and wherein,in response to receiving a selection of the overlay element upon anexpiration of the counter, the second video content item is skipped andthe first video content item is played back.
 9. The method of claim 8,wherein the second video content item is a video advertisementassociated with the first video content item.
 10. The method of claim 8,wherein the overlay element includes a representative image of the firstvideo content item.
 11. The method of claim 10, further comprisingcausing the representative image of the first video content item to bedisplayed after a predetermined portion of the second video content itemhas been played back.
 12. The method of claim 10, further comprisingcausing the representative image of the first video content item to bedisplayed in accordance with a visual effect.
 13. The method of claim12, wherein the visual effect comprises causing the representative imageof the first video content item to fade in as the counter proceeds andwherein the hardware processor is further programmed to cause the visualeffect to be adjusted based on a time remaining in the counter.
 14. Themethod of claim 8, wherein the overlay element is inhibited from beingselected to skip the second video content item in response todetermining that the counter has not expired.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer-readable medium containing computer executable instructionsthat, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform amethod, the method comprising: receiving a request for a first videocontent item from a client device; in response to the request for thefirst video content item, causing the client device to playback a secondvideo content item in a video window; and causing the client device todisplay an overlay element that is positioned over the video window,wherein the overlay element includes a thumbnail representation of thefirst video content item and a counter indicating when the overlayelement will become selectable, and wherein, in response to receiving aselection of the overlay element upon an expiration of the counter, thesecond video content item is skipped and the first video content item isplayed back.
 16. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim15, wherein the second video content item is a video advertisementassociated with the first video content item.
 17. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the overlay elementincludes a representative image of the first video content item.
 18. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the methodfurther comprises causing the representative image of the first videocontent item to be displayed after a predetermined portion of the secondvideo content item has been played back.
 19. The non-transitorycomputer-readable medium of claim 17, wherein the method furthercomprises causing the representative image of the first video contentitem to be displayed in accordance with a visual effect.
 20. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 19, wherein the visualeffect comprises causing the representative image of the first videocontent item to fade in as the counter proceeds and wherein the hardwareprocessor is further programmed to cause the visual effect to beadjusted based on a time remaining in the counter.
 21. Thenon-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 15, wherein the overlayelement is inhibited from being selected to skip the second videocontent item in response to determining that the counter has notexpired.